The Secret Of Facing Every Situation

(#1056, Imperial, 1964)

Read Philippians 2:5-7; 4:10-13.

In Phil. 2:5-7 there is a twofold thrust.

w    He made Himself of no reputation.  This was the initial choice.  Most of us are busy making a reputation and we work to keep it.

w    He was made.  After the initial choice He took His hands off and was made.  Before we can be made we must make ourselves of no reputation.

The text today carries further the thought that "it is only through Christ that we can do all things."  Phil. 4:10-13 contains the greatest success story in all the world.  Where do we go to hear it? to the stock market? the movie industry? the millionaire? the pastor of the large church?  No, but to the prison cell.  While in prison Paul says he has learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation.

ƒ      What circumstances did Paul face?

w    In 2 Cor. 11:23-30 he was beaten, shipwrecked, in the deep; in perils, weariness, hunger, thirst, cold and nakedness, etc.

w    In 2 Cor. 4:8-9 he was troubled, perplexed, cast down, persecuted.

ƒ      How did he find the secret?

Only by learning, v11.  He was in God's school, Heb. 5:8.  All of God's providential dealings with us are meant to serve as discipline for the soul (Deut. 8:2-3).

ƒ      What was the secret?

The secret is in Phil. 4:13 where the Amplified Bible says: I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me -- I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me [that is, I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].

All this coming to the one who first made himself of no reputation that God might make him sufficient for all things.

I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency.